Legislation -
Vetoed
(Executive)
-
Sept. 29, 2010

Legislation -
Bill Passed
(House)
(45-24) -
Aug. 12, 2010(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits retailers from imposing a surcharge on customers who choose to pay using a debit card.

Highlights:

Authorizes retailers to offer discounts to induce payment by cash, check, or other means not involving the use of a debit card, provided that the discount is offered to all prospective buyers (Sec. 2).

Specifies that any retailer who willfully imposes a surcharge on debit card users and fails to pay the surcharge amount to the debit card user within 30 days of a written demand by the debit card user through certified mail shall be liable to the debit card user for three times the amount of the damages as well as "reasonable" attorney's fees and court costs (Sec. 2).

Requires charges for third-party debit card guarantee services, when added to the price charged by retailers if cash were to be paid, to be deemed surcharges even if they are payable directly to the third party or are charged separately (Sec. 2).

Legislation -
Bill Passed
(Senate)
(22-9) -
June 3, 2010(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits retailers from imposing a surcharge on customers who choose to pay using a debit card.

Highlights:

Authorizes retailers to offer discounts to induce payment by cash, check, or other means not involving the use of a debit card, provided that the discount is offered to all prospective buyers (Sec. 2).

Specifies that any retailer who willfully imposes a surcharge on debit card users and fails to pay the surcharge amount to the debit card user within 30 days of a written demand by the debit card user through certified mail shall be liable to the debit card user for three times the amount of the damages as well as "reasonable" attorney's fees and court costs (Sec. 2).

Requires charges for third-party debit card guarantee services, when added to the price charged by retailers if cash were to be paid, to be deemed surcharges even if they are payable directly to the third party or are charged separately (Sec. 2).